by Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports

by Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports

HOW THE TAR HEELS WON: Not many people expected North Carolina to make this competitive - considering that embarrassing loss to Belmont at home a week ago. But the 19th-ranked Tar Heels did one better, pulling off a rather unexpected upset and beating No. 2 Louisville 93-84 here at Mohegan Sun on Sunday afternoon in Uncasville, Conn.

The key, though, was Marcus Paige, who followed up Saturday's 26-point performance with a 32-point show. He and Britt handled Louisville's press and transition defense with ease, which sparked a run in the middle of the second half where UNC built up a double-digit lead. Once the Heels had a comfortable lead and Louisville's Montrezl Harrell fouled out with 7:29 to go, the game was all but over.

STAR WATCH: UNC's stars are surprising but perhaps they shouldn't be. With James Michael McAdoo largely invisible, Paige and Brice Johnson stepped up in a big way from the opening tip. Paige starred and led the Tar Heels in scoring, with 32, and Johnson contributing 13 despite some foul trouble. Hey Roy, it's probably time to put Johnson in the starting lineup. Just trying to help.

Russ Smith will be in the national player of the year discussion when all is said and done - and that's exactly where he should be. He was terrific Sunday, particularly in the first half, scoring 22 points (6-for-8 from the field, 4-for-5 from beyond the arc). He finished with 36.

WHAT THIS MEANS IN A NUTSHELL: If you're a Carolina fan, you've got to be encouraged, to say the least. This is by far the best the Heels have looked all season as they navigate this uncertain terrain without last year's leading scorer, P.J. Hairston, who is currently ineligible. Though you ought to be concerned about McAdoo's lack of production (and his general ineffectiveness), there are so many other players stepping up to shoulder the scoring load. Lots of career-high scoring outputs for lots of young players.

As for Louisville, this is still a good team led by a great player in Russ Smith. There's no need to panic just yet. But here are two things to be concerned about: Harrell fouling out and what the Cardinals look like without him, and Louisville's transition defense in general. It needs a lot of work.

TWEET THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES: Roy was right.

AND-1: McAdoo entered the weekend averaging 19.7 points and 8.7 rebounds. He scored nine and grabbed four rebounds on Saturday. Even worse on Sunday: nine points (many coming late) and three rebounds. Who would have thought UNC could pull off this win with him essentially a non-factor?

Nicole Auerbach, a national college basketball reporter for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter @NicoleAuerbach.